Tom Collinson
Tom Collinson grew up in the North East and is a writer and director and has made programmes for the BBC, ITV and Channel 4.
He created, wrote and directed two series of the sitcom “Self Storage” for Radio 4 starring Reece Shearsmith and Mark Heap, which the Times called, A Beckettian examination of the parameters of solitude with plenty of wry laughs, which was nice of ’em! It was also Pick of the Day in the Guardian, Metro and featured on Radio 4’s Pick of the Week.
He has written sketches for the latest series of “Tracey Breaks the News” for BBC 1, and his sketch show pilot, “Countryphile”, starring Rufus Jones was produced by Radio 4. He has had sitcom scripts optioned by the BBC, Tidy Productions and Tiger Aspect.
He has written and directed several short films which have played in festivals worldwide and has written two comedy feature film scripts. The Brexit parody film he directed, starring Liam Hourican as Jacob Rees Mogg, garnered a huge social media following – watch it here He also directed and co-writer on Liam’s Edinburgh show “The Anti Social Network”, a rom-com with fighting.
His short plays include “Percy” performed at Southwark Playhouse, (Surprising, heart breaking and cleverly witty Scatter of Opinion), “Croissant” starring Mark Watson at The Pleasance, (****The List), "Cracks" , a collaboration with British-Iranian actor Arian Nik for the West Yorkshire Playhouse, and “In a Box” which won the panel award for Writing, panel award for Best Ensemble and the Audience Award for Best Play at the Off Cut Festival at the Riverside Studios, (Panel chair Moira Buffini). The Arcola recently produced a night of his short plays called “Strands”.
He is currently developing a sitcom starring Mat Horne, a comedy series with Izzy Mant and Liam Hourican, two TV comedy/dramas set in the North East, and two plays produced by Lauren Reed Productions.
He created, wrote and directed two series of the sitcom “Self Storage” for Radio 4 starring Reece Shearsmith and Mark Heap, which the Times called, A Beckettian examination of the parameters of solitude with plenty of wry laughs, which was nice of ’em! It was also Pick of the Day in the Guardian, Metro and featured on Radio 4’s Pick of the Week.
He has written sketches for the latest series of “Tracey Breaks the News” for BBC 1, and his sketch show pilot, “Countryphile”, starring Rufus Jones was produced by Radio 4. He has had sitcom scripts optioned by the BBC, Tidy Productions and Tiger Aspect.
He has written and directed several short films which have played in festivals worldwide and has written two comedy feature film scripts. The Brexit parody film he directed, starring Liam Hourican as Jacob Rees Mogg, garnered a huge social media following – watch it here He also directed and co-writer on Liam’s Edinburgh show “The Anti Social Network”, a rom-com with fighting.
His short plays include “Percy” performed at Southwark Playhouse, (Surprising, heart breaking and cleverly witty Scatter of Opinion), “Croissant” starring Mark Watson at The Pleasance, (****The List), "Cracks" , a collaboration with British-Iranian actor Arian Nik for the West Yorkshire Playhouse, and “In a Box” which won the panel award for Writing, panel award for Best Ensemble and the Audience Award for Best Play at the Off Cut Festival at the Riverside Studios, (Panel chair Moira Buffini). The Arcola recently produced a night of his short plays called “Strands”.
He is currently developing a sitcom starring Mat Horne, a comedy series with Izzy Mant and Liam Hourican, two TV comedy/dramas set in the North East, and two plays produced by Lauren Reed Productions.
London (Greater London)
cheryl@cherylhayesmanagement.com
Current projects in development include: TV comedy series co-written with Izzy Mant and Liam Hourican, Sitcom starring Mat Horne. Historical comedy/drama about one of the foremost female actors of the 18th century written out of history. (Co-written with ex-RSC actor Victoria Duarri). Ironman and The Bus; two comedy/drama plays.
Tracey Breaks the News. BBC 1. Sketch writer on this satirical news show starring Tracey Ullman.
Strands. Writer of a night of short plays staged at the Arcola Theatre.
Carousel. Writer and director of short play for SLAM festival at the Arcola Theatre.
Cracks. Writer and Director of this play about a British Iranian man from Leeds selected for IGNITE festival at West Yorkshire Playhouse. "I knew I was to be condemned by God when I switched my Amnesty International standing order to Netflix". Performed by Arian Nik.
Percy - Short play selected for Little Pieces of Gold at Southwark Playhouse."Surprising, heart-breaking and cleverly witty". Scatter of Opinion.
Croissant. Writer and Director of Croissant a short play for 10x10x10 at the Pleasance Attic performed by Mark Watson, Edinburgh Festival 2015. ****Broadway Baby, ****Edfest Magazine.
Self Storage. Series One and Two. 12x15mins Comedy for BBC Radio 4. Writer and co - director of this new sitcom for Radio 4 Starring Reece Shearsmith, Mark Heap, Tom Goodman-Hill, Rosie Cavaliero and Susan Earl. (Prod. Ed Morrish). Developed for television 2009 (Prod. Paul Schlesinger). “A Beckettian examination of the parameters of solitude, with plenty of wry laughs” The Times. Pick of The Day in The Guardian, Time Out, The Telegraph, The Mail (****) and The New Statesman
The Anti Social Network. Director and co-writer for this Edinburgh show starring comedian and impressionist Liam Hourican (BBC 3's Murder in Successville, VIP, E4's Ape). "Wonderfully joyful characters executed with a joyful spirited naughtiness" Steve Bennett , Chortle.
The Bride Wore Fur. Writer of Feature script developed with BAFTA winner Ben Gosling Fuller (Bad Education, That Mitchell and Webb Look, Ideal), at Utterly Lovely Productions.
Bin it!/Epic Fail, RAPPORT PRODUCTIONS. Writer and Director of x3 45 minute comedy shows for tours in Britain and Ireland.
FIrst Gear/Cottage Pie/Lemon Tops Writer of several sitcoms for television in developed with Tidy Productions. (Exec Producer: Anne Gilchrist) /Tiger Aspect and BBC.
In a Box. Short play for RIVERSIDE STUDIOS. Winner of OFF CUT FESTIVAL.(Panel award for Best Writer, Best Ensemble and Overall Audience Award).
Countryphile. BBC. Writer and co-director of BBC commissioned sketch showpilot for this new 6x30minute series for Radio 4.(Prod. Ed Morrish. Co-written with Jon Olney).“Funny and well formed” Jane Berthoud. Head of BBC Radio Comedy.
Superteam. PICOMEDIA for DISNEY XD. (ITALY) Writer on this new format kids show for Disney XD about a group of teenagers, each possessing their own special superpower.
Touching the Cloth. ONLINE. Writer/director of short, comedy spoof adventure film.
Articles on writing radio comedy and online. THE GUARDIAN. Wrote several articles for The Guardian on writing comedy. CLICK HERE and HERE
The Suicide Club. BBC. Writer and director of this 1-hour comedy play performed at theHen and Chickens Theatre and the Canal Café. Subsequently developed for BBC Radio. (Co-written with Barnaby Power). “This is a gem! Hilarious!” John Pidgeon, Head of BBC Radio Comedy.
Tracey Breaks the News. BBC 1. Sketch writer on this satirical news show starring Tracey Ullman.
Strands. Writer of a night of short plays staged at the Arcola Theatre.
Carousel. Writer and director of short play for SLAM festival at the Arcola Theatre.
Cracks. Writer and Director of this play about a British Iranian man from Leeds selected for IGNITE festival at West Yorkshire Playhouse. "I knew I was to be condemned by God when I switched my Amnesty International standing order to Netflix". Performed by Arian Nik.
Percy - Short play selected for Little Pieces of Gold at Southwark Playhouse."Surprising, heart-breaking and cleverly witty". Scatter of Opinion.
Croissant. Writer and Director of Croissant a short play for 10x10x10 at the Pleasance Attic performed by Mark Watson, Edinburgh Festival 2015. ****Broadway Baby, ****Edfest Magazine.
Self Storage. Series One and Two. 12x15mins Comedy for BBC Radio 4. Writer and co - director of this new sitcom for Radio 4 Starring Reece Shearsmith, Mark Heap, Tom Goodman-Hill, Rosie Cavaliero and Susan Earl. (Prod. Ed Morrish). Developed for television 2009 (Prod. Paul Schlesinger). “A Beckettian examination of the parameters of solitude, with plenty of wry laughs” The Times. Pick of The Day in The Guardian, Time Out, The Telegraph, The Mail (****) and The New Statesman
The Anti Social Network. Director and co-writer for this Edinburgh show starring comedian and impressionist Liam Hourican (BBC 3's Murder in Successville, VIP, E4's Ape). "Wonderfully joyful characters executed with a joyful spirited naughtiness" Steve Bennett , Chortle.
The Bride Wore Fur. Writer of Feature script developed with BAFTA winner Ben Gosling Fuller (Bad Education, That Mitchell and Webb Look, Ideal), at Utterly Lovely Productions.
Bin it!/Epic Fail, RAPPORT PRODUCTIONS. Writer and Director of x3 45 minute comedy shows for tours in Britain and Ireland.
FIrst Gear/Cottage Pie/Lemon Tops Writer of several sitcoms for television in developed with Tidy Productions. (Exec Producer: Anne Gilchrist) /Tiger Aspect and BBC.
In a Box. Short play for RIVERSIDE STUDIOS. Winner of OFF CUT FESTIVAL.(Panel award for Best Writer, Best Ensemble and Overall Audience Award).
Countryphile. BBC. Writer and co-director of BBC commissioned sketch showpilot for this new 6x30minute series for Radio 4.(Prod. Ed Morrish. Co-written with Jon Olney).“Funny and well formed” Jane Berthoud. Head of BBC Radio Comedy.
Superteam. PICOMEDIA for DISNEY XD. (ITALY) Writer on this new format kids show for Disney XD about a group of teenagers, each possessing their own special superpower.
Touching the Cloth. ONLINE. Writer/director of short, comedy spoof adventure film.
Articles on writing radio comedy and online. THE GUARDIAN. Wrote several articles for The Guardian on writing comedy. CLICK HERE and HERE
The Suicide Club. BBC. Writer and director of this 1-hour comedy play performed at theHen and Chickens Theatre and the Canal Café. Subsequently developed for BBC Radio. (Co-written with Barnaby Power). “This is a gem! Hilarious!” John Pidgeon, Head of BBC Radio Comedy.
Animation, Books, Childrens writing, Comedy, Film, Online writing, Radio, Short story, Television, Theatre, Videogames
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BBC Radio 4. Self Storage. Episode 1...
https://vimeo.com/tomcollinson
https://vimeo.com/tomcollinson